Samsung Galaxy Note 4: Everything we know so far

Consumers have warmed to Samsung's Galaxy Note 3 and its phone-cum-tablet proportions. Its 5.7-inch display makes it difficult to pocket, but it is still more portable than an iPad or Nexus 7. A mixture of versatility, lengthy battery life and a stylus has earned it a solid reputation.

You can understand, then, why rumors of its successor have been bubbling up. The Galaxy Note 4, as it is likely to be called based on previous naming convention, has big shoes to fill. We round up the latest rumors to see what to expect ahead of its official unveiling in September:

An unofficial picture of the Samsung Galaxy Note 4

New design?

Without breaking into the Samsung headquarters, the Samsung Galaxy Note 4's design remains a secret. But the past is usually a good indication of the future, and so a dimpled back panel or faux leather is likely, based on the Samsung Galaxy S5 and Galaxy Note 3, respectively.

Maybe Samsung has finally taken on board the widespread criticism of the plastics it uses, meaning we'll get a slice of aluminium? Not only would it shake up the range, it would help make the Note 4 differentiate itself as a premium Android device.

Another rumor from the recently-retired tipster @EVleaks suggests that the Galaxy Note 4 will come in Charcoal Black, Copper Gold, Electric Blue and Shimmery White.

The Note 4 is likely to benefit from the Galaxy Note 3's IP67 dust and water resistance, so it can survive the odd accident and wear and tear. However, the inclusion of a flexible display - something Samsung has been looking into - doesn't sound likely. It seems too soon for it to reach production, but stranger things have happened.

As for how it looks, there are lots of images purportedly of the Galaxy Note 4 on the internet. Most - if not all - are probably fake concepts mocked up, so don't give them too much credence.

Improved performance?

There are few smartphones as capable as the Galaxy Note 3 when it comes to performance. It is, therefore, safe to assume the Note 4 will pack one hell of a punch. Rumors pointed at the Snapdragon 805 chip, which supports 4k display technology. Sadly there was a delay and it missed the deadline for the Galaxy S5, so it may do the same for the Note 4.

Assuming that is the case, the Galaxy S5's Snapdragon 801 processor could be used on top of 3GB of RAM. A spot of processor overclocking and optimisation would see it retain its name as a powerhouse.

An alternative viewpoint suggests Samsung's own Exynos 6 processor, which could have as many as eight cores if reports are correct. Whether it would be 32 or 64-bit remains to be seen.

An unofficial picture of the Samsung Galaxy Note 4

Android what?

Largely dependent on Google, this one. Android L is in the works, but whether it is going to be finished in time for the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is debatable. It would make sense for a flagship device from the world's most popular Android smartphone vendor to debut a new operating system.

If it does make the release date, will it be heavily re-skinned? Android is trying to step away from this, but you never know with Samsung. TouchWiz is okay, but we prefer a stock Android experience. Rumors hinting at the introduction of new TouchWiz features would suggest it's here to stay.

In a case where Android L misses the boat, Android 4.4 KitKat is the most likely candidate. Its inclusion would be more than welcome as the OS is still extremely capable, and it would serve as a stop-gap while Samsung fine-tunes the next version to its liking.

A name change for Download Booster to Multi Network Booster may be simply to tell users what this function does. For the uninitiated, it combines 4G data and WiFi for even faster download speeds.

New camera?

One of the mooted new Galaxy Note 4 features is "Aqua Capture". If the name is anything to go by, underwater camera shots may be possible. That would mean the Note 4 is better at coping with water than the Galaxy S5. Or maybe it just adds a pointless watery tint to normal photos? We hope not.

A Samsung roadmap leak has indicated the camera it will use on all of its flagship devices in 2014. With that in mind, the Galaxy S5's 16-megapixel snapper would be a neat inclusion as its ISOCELL technology produces excellent photography results.

One rumor suggested the megapixel count would be 20, but another report has suggested this idea was dropped to keep the Galaxy Note 4 nice and thin. Another reports suggests Optical Image Stabilisation to reduce motion blur, like that of the Nokia Lumia 1020. Meanwhile, the front-facing camera is 3.7 instead of 2 megapixels, so selfie detail should be improved if you care about such a thing.

New display?

There's a chance the Galaxy Note 4 will have a larger display or at least one of the same size as its precedessor, which would mean 5.7 inches or more. The Note 3 was full HD, so it will almost certainly be as detailed. 4K support from the aforementioned processor may be a big clue as to a big step-up over its predecessor.

The big question is... how detailed will the display be? Are we talking full 4K or 2560 x 1440, as indicated by a Samsung representative? Either way, there will be few displays that look as sharp.

Another set of rumors would see Samsung use a flexible, potentially curved display for the Galaxy Note 4, with improved viewing angles. A curved display would fit with the current trend of curved TV display, but would be ergonomically weird. Stranger things have happened, though.

Image leaks appear to show a curved edge to the device

Security?

Fingerprint technology seen in the Samsung Galaxy S5 could make it to the Galaxy Note 4. That could be joined by some sort of biometric scanner so you need only look at your phone to unlock it. A tweet from Samsung's Exynos twitter showed a device with an eye on it and the words "unlock the future".

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 release date

Samsung launched the Galaxy Note 3 at IFA 2013 in Berlin at an event called Samsung Unpacked Episode 1. Episode 2 on September 3 is undoubtedly where we will see the Note 4, which means early September is the most likely release date. Whether the device goes in or on sale around IFA remains to be seen.

...And the price?

Consumers are used to paying through the nose for a larger device like the Galaxy Note 3. So we will eat our hat if the Galaxy Note 4 is cheaper. Factor in a higher-resolution display, faster performance and a SIM-free price of £600 to £700 could be the result. Bear in mind that the Galaxy S5 costs around £570.

No doubt networks will subsidise that with lengthy contracts at £40 a month, if you find the SIM-free price eye-wateringly expensive. If the past is anything to go by, networks will get their own 'exclusive' colors. So, for example, you may need to go with Vodafone if you want the blue one.

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 summary

It's going to be gigantic. It's going to be fast. It's probably going to have an array of Samsung gimmicks many of us will never use. In effect, it will be just like the Note 3. Consider us excited, then.